The Gunners have developed their scouting network in Germany and have spotted the attacking midfielder. Arsenal already have five German players in their first team.

Arnold, 19, is under contract until 2015, but has a buy-out clause of around £8million.

The kid looks quality – he’s scored 8 goals in just 19 senior appearances for the club and has also represented Germany at every youth level.

The idea that Arsenal want to buy yet another attacking midfielder doesn’t, of course, preclude the purchase of players for other positions. But it seems glaringly obvious that it’s other areas of the team which need much more urgent attention.

If we were pulling the strings at Arsenal we would be prioritising

– a match winner of a striker who can make the difference in the tightest of games. – a brute of a centre back as wide as he is tall – someone like Micah Richards (if available). – a rugged midfielder in the Yaya Toure mould. Easier said than done but this should at least be the idea.

Arsenal fans, do you need more creative midfielders or should the summer be the time to strengthen the spine?